Avoid embarrassment, unemployment with these tips

Even if you work hard, one place you might not want to play hard is your annual holiday office party.

It is OK to go to an event like this and enjoy yourself, but make sure you are not remembered as the employee who made an epic embarrassment there.

We've all seen people doing awkward things at the office within normal business hours. Just add a little alcohol to the normal daytime office awkwardness and combine that with the oft-emotionally loaded holiday season, and the discomfort can become exponentially compounded.

For some reason, people can be like moths to the flame when it comes to their holiday office party behavior choices. Take heed to this cautionary advice and steel yourself ahead of time not to fall prey to one of the following regrettable soiree missteps ...

No. 5: Spread petty gossip

Do not gossip about a disliked co-worker at the annual holiday party. As much fun as it can be to talk smack about a loathed colleague, it doesn't make good party conversation.

Sure, sometimes it can be tempting to shoot off your mouth about people who make your life hell on a daily basis, but if you become the office gossip, in the end it only makes you seem petty. That's not only good advice for the party, but for the office as well.

A party should be just that, not your personal time to data-dump all over your co-workers about how much you can't stand the ongoing antics of the office Antichrist. Leave this behavior for the weak or unambitious.

Your time will be better spent building relationships with people you like, rather than focusing on office weirdies who are not worth your breath.

No. 4: Confess your unrequited love for the boss

Do not confess your secret crush for your married boss just because it's the holiday party and you are both there, dressed up, cocktail in hand.

OK, so you have been carrying this flame for your boss or other superior for years now, but do you really want to tell him or her this after knocking back a few vodka tonics at the annual get-together? Trust us, this can only end in disaster.

Choosing to confess something like this at all is a colossally bad choice, but to do so at the office party will only leave you vulnerable and exposed. A move like this might catapult you into the office embarrassment if it backfires, not to mention its potential for hurting your career.

If you're going to confess something like this, do it after you no longer work there and your boss is no longer married -- otherwise, keep it to yourself.

No. 3: Disobey the hidden office party dress code

Do not show up to the office party wearing something risque or out of character -- this goes for guys and gals.

Guys, just because your favorite tight leather pants are Santa-suit red does not mean they should be worn to the holiday party. Gals, do not use the party to show off your goodies for all your colleagues to see; it's always a good idea to leave a little mystery.

Showing your sexy side will just throw people off and give them license to see you as someone with questionable judgment, which is a dicey move to make amongst your co-workers.

Choose apparel that is festive, not seductive, and also not something that is way outside the parameters of your business persona. You are there as a professional, not as a super freak, so don't dress like one. You want people to respect you after the holiday party, not talk about what you inappropriately wore.

No. 2: Show off your sweet club moves

In the case of your holiday office party, limiting the level of your expression through dance is probably a good thing.